Berlin Short Breaks

Berlin, the vibrant capital city of Germany, is a fascinating destination for a one night weekend break. With its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant nightlife, Berlin offers a unique experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression. Even with just two days, there are plenty of attractions and activities to explore in this bustling metropolis.

One Night Breaks to Berlin from London

London Stansted is your best departure point for a short break to Berlin with Ryanair offering regular services to Berlin Brandenburg Airport.  Outbound flights mostly land before 11am and returning flights early evening the following day. If you want a slightly later flight out and are looking to have more time on the second day look to British Airways flying from London Heathrow. BA also have services from London City.

Short Breaks to Berlin from Edinburgh

easyJet and Ryanair offer direct services from Edinburgh with timings varying throughout the year so do check your departure dates to see if there is a convenient option. KLM offer indirect connections through Amsterdam. Depart at 6am and you will be in Berlin before midday. Return flights are later in evening so if you can fly out direct with one of the low cost carriers above and then return via Amsterdam this could give you maximum time in Berlin.

Short Breaks to Berlin from Glasgow

easyJet offers direct services from Glasgow at certain points throughout the year but not daily and if you are looking for a weekend break flying out on Saturday the best options are indirect. The positive news is that there are options here. Fly with Lufthansa at 6am via Frankfurt and you are likely to be in Berlin around 11am. KLM offers similar departure times via Amsterdam so do price check between these two. Lufthansa gives you slightly more time for your weekend break.

Short Breaks to Berlin from Cardiff

With so many of the indirect options to Berlin, connecting via Amsterdam is the best option for a weekend break in Berlin. Departing just after 6am can get you into Berlin for 11:30am but the return flights give you significant chunk of time on your second day to explore.

Weekend Breaks to Berlin from Manchester

Both Ryanair and easyJet offer direct options from MAN to BER so if you are looking to extend time in Berlin this might be a good option. For a pure weekend breaks, a bit of creativity is required. If departing on Saturday morning an indirect option is the best route. The great news is there is an abundance of options to explore. Lufthansa via Frankfurt is perhaps the best option but do explore Brussels Airlines and KLM have similar departure times. All these airlines have flights returning in the evening on the following day but also look at easyJet for a direct option on late Sunday night which would save you connecting.

Short Breaks to Berlin from Bristol

easyJet has direct options from Bristol Airport to Berlin but if you are looking for a one night break their afternoon departures do not really align. So as suggested with many regional options a departing flight early in the morning with KLM via Amsterdam gives you the best option to spend maximum time in Berlin. Do consider easyJet on the return though. Their return flight to Bristol leaves in the evening and although not regular, some flights do depart after 9pm on certain days.

Short Breaks to Berlin from Birmingham

For a one night break from BHX, again look to explore indirect options departing around 6am from both KLM and Lufthansa. Both airlines offer attractive evening flights on the return.

Short Breaks to Berlin from Newcastle

Both British Airways and KLM offer options for a short trip Berlin. KLM via Amsterdam is in our view the better option as the connection times are shorter and their flight times gives you more time to enjoy the German capital. The earliest flight from Newcastle departs just after 6am in the morning and returns back to NCL just before 11pm the next day. BA flies via Heathrow.

Weekend Breaks to Berlin with KLM

Flying indirect via Amsterdam really unlocks your opportunities for a one night weekend break in Amsterdam. The slight inconvenience of transferring in Schiphol allows you to depart early on Saturday and arrive in Berlin just after 11am and fly home later than most of the direct flights. It also allows you to fly from many more airports especially regional options. Enjoy a short break from Leeds, Norwich, Teesside, Aberdeen and Humberside amongst others. Remember to pack light and take your luggage onboard. Not only will it save money but ensure luggage does not get lost on route.

Arriving in Berlin

The quickest way to get into the centre of Berlin is by travelling on the Airport Express (FEX) which departs from BER every 30 minutes and arrives at Berlin Central Station. There are other less regular train connections and bus links to other parts of the city so do check Google Maps or other apps for the best route in.

The Berlin Tourist Board offer a Welcome Card which you can pre-purchase before arrival. As well as providing discounts to a range of attractions, there is free public transport for the duration of your short break. You can include your train ride into the centre of the city as part of this pass but make sure you select the right option for this which includes all A, B and C zones for public transport.

From Berlin Central Station, you can start your day by viewing the iconic Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of Berlin’s reunification or the Reichstag Building, the seat of the German parliament. Both are within 20 minutes walk from the station. For the Reichstag we suggest taking a guided tour to learn about its history and admire the stunning glass dome, offering panoramic views of the city. Don’t forget to book your visit in advance to avoid long queues.

From here the choices are endless from Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site that houses five world-class museums, to the Berlin Wall Memorial, where you can learn about the city’s division and the struggles faced by its residents during the Cold War.

As the evening approaches, head to Alexanderplatz, a bustling square in the heart of Berlin. Climb the TV Tower for panoramic views of the city, especially breathtaking at sunset. Afterward, explore the nearby Hackescher Markt, known for its trendy shops, bars, and restaurants. Enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the many international or local eateries before experiencing Berlin’s vibrant nightlife.

Main Image by Nicole Streit
Image of Berlin Central Station by Rebecca Holm
Image of Reichstag by pilar Rodíguez